Brewers reportedly tracking Loux

For the second time in a week, Arizona Diamondbacks first-round pick Barret Loux, who was declared a free agent by Major League Baseball, threw for a handful of scouts on Thursday afternoon in College Station, Texas.

According to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart, the Brewers, Astros, Marlins, Rangers, Cubs, Twins, Giants, Phillies and Mariners were on hand to watch the right-hander throw between 50 and 60 pitches for about 25 minutes. They are among the teams interested in signing Loux, who was drafted by Arizona before reportedly failing a physical.

“Things went about the same, similar velocity on the fastball and breaking pitches,” Loux said in an e-mail to MLB.com. “[I] found myself breaking my hands later than I should so control wasn’t quite as good as normal, but overall a decent bullpen [session].”

That the Brewers are interested in Loux makes perfect sense. They were set to sign prep right-hander Dylan Covey before a physical exam the week before the Aug. 16 signing deadline revealed he had Type 1 diabetes. Covey opted instead to attend the University of San Diego.

MLB’s slot recommendation for the 14th overall selection — where the Brewers drafted Covey — was about $1.7 million.

Loux was drafted No. 6 overall and reportedly failed a physical because of arm problems. Major League Baseball declared Loux a free agent and available to sign with any club beginning Sept. 1, awarding Arizona compensatory Draft picks.

Loux, who went 11-2 with a 2.83 ERA in 16 starts last season as a junior at Texas A&M, last week threw for about 25 minutes at his college, where he’s finishing up his degree.

He’s just the type of player the Brewers are targeting as part of their increased focus on big, power pitchers. Loux stands 6-foot-4, and when healthy he was throwing fastballs in the 91-94 mph range. He reportedly was close to signing a $2 million deal with the D-backs before concerns about his health cooled their interest.

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